Does your dog need more fiber in their diet?

Sometimes, dog owners can tell when something isn’t right with their dog’s digestive system. They may notice sudden stomach upsets, with vomiting, gas, straining when going to the bathroom or loud noises coming from the animal’s intestines. These problems can often become more frequent when dogs get older.

Some types of commercial dog food do not have a sufficient amount of fiber added to the food. Also, the fiber may broken down by commercial processing so much that it is no longer well utilized by the intestines.

If you suspect a slowdown in your dog’s digestive system, consider adding a bit of fiber to their diet to aid healthy intestinal function.

Benefits of fiber

As with humans, fiber can aid better gastrointestinal function, and it can also help with weight management.

In addition, if your dog tends to be constipated, adding a little fiber can make waste pass more easily through the intestines.

Canned pumpkin

Canned pumpkin is a standby recommendation by veterinarians for canine constipation and other digestive issues.

Canned pumpkin is loaded with fiber in a tasty, natural form. Don’t confuse canned pumpkin with “pumpkin pie filling,” which contains sugar, spices and other ingredients. A tablespoon on top of your dog’s daily meal is enough to improve gastrointestinal function.

Bran

The same bran you have for breakfast can help keep your dog’s digestive tract in top condition. Just a small amount makes a tasty and healthy addition to his daily diet. Moisten the bran a little with water before feeding to make it easier for your dog to digest.

Brown rice

Brown rice is another high fiber food that you can add to your dog’s dish. The brown variety of rice still has the outside husk, unlike the processed white rice. This husk is what provides additional fiber, as well as many more nutrients than white rice.

Summary

As with all changes to your dog’s diet, you should add foods gradually, monitoring the animal closely for any upsets or disturbances.

For some dogs, a bit of fiber can help to improve their gastrointestinal health and energy levels.

However, not every dog is alike, and additional fiber can have unexpected results. If you take care with these additions, you will be able to avoid unnecessary upsets and improve your dog’s general health.